Security Council Renews Mandate of Afghanistan Sanctions Monitoring Team

February 13, 2026
TOLOnews
TV Network
12 Feb 2026

The U.S. representative called on the Islamic Emirate to end what Washington described as a “hostage-taking” policy.

On February 12, the United Nations Security Council voted to renew the mandate of the Monitoring Team supporting the 1988 Afghanistan Sanctions Committee for another 12 months. The United States, the penholder on Afghanistan sanctions, authored the draft resolution.

The U.S. representative said the team’s assessments remain important and called on the Islamic Emirate to end what Washington described as a “hostage-taking” policy.

Speaking at the Security Council, U.S. Deputy Representative Tommy Bruce said: “We find the Monitoring Team’s assessments valuable—especially regarding the Taliban’s counterterrorism efforts and human rights record, particularly affecting women and girls—as these factors directly influence security and stability throughout Afghanistan and the broader region.”

Russia’s representative, meanwhile, emphasized the need for engagement between the UN monitoring team’s experts and the Islamic Emirate, adding that Moscow supports a possible visit by the experts to Kabul.

Russia’s Deputy Representative Anna Evstigneeva said: “The text of the resolution is strikingly oversaturated with elements that are not directly related to the implementation of the 1988 Security Council sanctions regime, not to mention the mandate of the Monitoring Team itself. We deem counterproductive any attempts by certain delegations to shift the focus from the core issues of combating terrorism and drug trafficking to the human rights situation in the country; such attempts are unlikely to contribute to the effective implementation by the experts of their tasks.”

China’s representative to the UN Security Council also voted in favor of the draft resolution but called for the lifting of the travel ban on officials of the Islamic Emirate. Fu Cong urged the Islamic Emirate to seriously combat terrorism.

He added that, as a first step, the permanent exemption from the travel ban for relevant Afghan government officials should be reinstated to facilitate their international engagement and communications.

Although the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has not yet commented on the matter, it has repeatedly called on the international community to lift sanctions, stating that they are not in the interest of any party and should be ended.

Security Council Renews Mandate of Afghanistan Sanctions Monitoring Team
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U.S. Drafting New Afghanistan Policy, Official Says

February 13, 2026
Bibi Amina Hakimi
TOLOnews’ Reporter
12 Feb 2026

Following the political changes of August 2021 and the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, U.S. policy toward Afghanistan entered a new phase.

More than four years after Afghanistan’s political transformation, Washington is once again redefining its policy toward the country.

The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State announced that various branches of the U.S. government are currently working on drafting a new policy on Afghanistan. According to him, the timeline for announcing the policy has not yet been determined.

Paul Kapur made the remarks during a hearing of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia under the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, where members of Congress raised questions about the future of U.S. engagement with Afghanistan.

“The review to which you refer is an ongoing interagency process with many moving parts. I do not know the exact schedule or timeline, but I can commit to remaining in touch with you and the committee and your staff and to informing you when we reach a more specific or preliminary conclusion before a final report is issued,” Kapur said.

Political analysts believe that announcing a new policy could have significant implications for Washington’s relations with Kabul, regional countries, and even Western allies.

“Afghanistan holds a special place in the strategies of major powers. The more positive and constructive the relations between Afghanistan and the United States become, the more beneficial it will be for both sides,” said political analyst Abdul Sadiq Hamidzai.

Meanwhile, international relations expert Wahid Faqiri emphasized that the Trump administration’s policy toward Afghanistan remains unclear, adding that it is not yet known when the policy will be finalized or what its main principles will be.

Following the political changes of August 2021 and the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, U.S. policy toward Afghanistan entered a new phase. Washington has refrained from formally recognizing the Islamic Emirate, while attempting to balance political pressure and sanctions with the continuation of humanitarian assistance.

U.S. Drafting New Afghanistan Policy, Official Says
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UK envoy says freedom of expression vital for Afghanistan’s future

February 13, 2026
Khaama Press

UK Special Representative for Afghanistan Richard Lindsay said independent Afghan media play a crucial role in bringing citizens’ voices to the international community.

Lindsay said on X that he met representatives of independent Afghan media to discuss their work and the importance of protecting freedom of expression.

He stressed that freedom of expression is essential for building a secure, inclusive, and prosperous future for all Afghan citizens.

“Meeting Afghan independent media representatives, we discussed how media outlets both inside & outside Afghanistan play a vital role; working together ensures Afghan voices are heard. Freedom of expression is essential for a safe, inclusive & prosperous future for all Afghans,” he stated.

The meeting comes as media operations and press freedoms have sharply declined since the Taliban returned to power more than four years ago.

Afghanistan Journalists Center previously reported that authorities have banned the broadcasting of images of living beings in more than 20 provinces since mid-2024.

Many Afghan journalists have left the country or moved their operations abroad due to growing restrictions, threats, and economic pressures facing media organizations.

International organizations continue to warn that shrinking media space in Afghanistan limits access to independent information for millions of citizens.

UK envoy says freedom of expression vital for Afghanistan’s future
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U.S. begins paying Afghan refugees in Qatar to return home, veterans and advocates call move a betrayal

February 13, 2026

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

The U.S. State Department has started paying Afghans stranded in Qatar to return home, prompting warnings from veterans and advocates about betrayal.

According to Reuters, more than 1,100 Afghans have been stranded at Camp As Sayliyah, a former U.S. Army base in Qatar, since early 2025 after resettlement programs halted under the Trump administration.

The group includes civilian refugees, women who served as U.S. special operations personnel, and family members of U.S. servicemembers, many of whom face security risks if returned.

Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur told lawmakers that roughly 150 Afghans have accepted payments, which reportedly include $4,500 for main applicants and $1,200 per additional family member, though third-country relocation options remain uncertain.

Veterans and advocacy groups, including AfghanEvac, have condemned the program, warning that the so-called voluntary repatriation amounts to a betrayal of Afghan allies who assisted U.S. forces.

Democrats in Congress have criticized the initiative, calling the payments a coercive measure and highlighting risks to those returning to Taliban-controlled areas.

Camp As Sayliyah has long served as a temporary processing facility for Afghan evacuees pending U.S. resettlement, particularly for those who aided U.S. military operations during the 20-year Afghanistan war.

Prolonged delays and uncertainty have left refugees in limbo, exposing shortcomings in U.S. migration policy and raising international concerns over humanitarian and human rights obligations.

Observers warn that closing the camp and offering financial incentives without secure relocation plans undermines trust in U.S. commitments and risks endangering vulnerable Afghan refugees.

U.S. begins paying Afghan refugees in Qatar to return home, veterans and advocates call move a betrayal
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Fazlur Rehman Questions Pakistan’s Afghanistan Policy Amid Rising Tensions

February 10, 2026
Bibi Amina Hakimi
TOLOnews’ Reporter
9 Feb 2026

He said it is strange that not even a single pomegranate can be imported from Afghanistan into Pakistan, yet claims are made that terrorists are coming from there.

While tensions between Kabul and Islamabad continue, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, has questioned his government’s policies toward Afghanistan in an unusually sharp tone.

Raising a sarcastic question, he said it is strange that not even a single pomegranate can be imported from Afghanistan into Pakistan, yet claims are made that terrorists are coming from there.

These remarks, delivered on Sunday at a gathering in Rawalpindi, were not limited to the current situation but also touched on the history of relations between the two countries.

He said that from the era of Zahir Shah to the communist governments, the Mujahideen, and the Islamic Emirate, various governments have come to power in Afghanistan; however, in his view, Pakistan has never been able to establish stable and tension-free relations with Kabul.

In another part of his speech, Maulana Fazlur Rehman added: “You say terrorists are coming from there into Pakistan. Brother, if they are coming, stop them. If they are coming, eliminate them. The strange thing is that an Afghan pomegranate cannot come, a melon cannot come, yet you say terrorists are coming.”

Fazlur Rehman also described insecurity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan as the result of flawed domestic policies and warned that the scope of this instability has now reached Islamabad as well.

He said: “Now the effects of this situation have reached Islamabad and Rawalpindi too. Even inside mosques, worshippers are being targeted. This means the government lacks authority. Making big statements is easy, and issuing fine declarations is easy. Some people create narratives as if we are the only victims in the world and the only wise ones as well.”

Analysts insist that despite the closure of border crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan, attributing Pakistan’s internal insecurity to Afghanistan is illogical. In their view, such claims are mostly made to cover up Pakistan’s internal security challenges.

Samiullah Ahmadzai, a political analyst, said: “Despite the fact that Pakistan has security posts along the so-called Durand Line and there is no movement, such claims are still made. These claims are mostly aimed at portraying Afghanistan as an insecure country.”

Another political analyst, Bilal Omar, added: “This actually reflects the weakness of Pakistan’s security institutions. Whenever a crisis emerges inside the country, the responsibility is placed on neighboring countries.”

This comes as Pakistan linked Friday’s deadly ISIS attack at a mosque in Islamabad to Afghanistan. In response, the Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Emirate immediately said that attributing the attack to Afghanistan has no logical basis and cannot conceal Pakistan’s security failures.

Fazlur Rehman Questions Pakistan’s Afghanistan Policy Amid Rising Tensions
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Russian Envoy Says No Alternative of Islamic Emirate, Urges Cooperation

February 10, 2026
Hayatullah Rahimi
Journalist & Digital Editor
Tolo News
9 Feb 2026
Albert P. Khorev said that Russia and other countries in the region are concerned about the security situation in Afghanistan.
The Russian Ambassador to Pakistan has expressed concern over recent tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, saying they are fueling instability in the region.

Albert P. Khorev said at a seminar organized by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute that there is currently no alternative to the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan, and that its officials should not be blamed; instead, their perspective should be respected and cooperation should take place.

He said that Russia and other countries in the region are concerned about the security situation in Afghanistan and stressed that regional countries should work together with the Afghan government to improve the situation.

He said: “I believe we can unite and we can further strengthen our efforts altogether in cooperation with Afghanistan government, find some ways and solutions how to more effectively fight terrorism threat.”

In another part of his remarks, Khorev criticized the West, particularly the United States, over sanctions imposed on Afghanistan, saying these sanctions have negatively affected the Islamic Emirate’s governance. He called on the West to lift the sanctions.

According to the Russian ambassador, expanding trade and economic relations with Afghanistan is currently one of Moscow’s priorities, and he believes Central Asian countries and China share the same priority.

The Russian diplomat also said that the closure of routes between Afghanistan and Pakistan is a major obstacle to regional trade.

Russian Envoy Says No Alternative of Islamic Emirate, Urges Cooperation
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Over 4 Million People of Afghanistan Will Need Shelter in 2026, UN Warns

February 10, 2026

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

The UN warns that 4.2 million people of Afghanistan will need shelter in 2026, amid natural disasters and increasing returnee pressures.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Sunday, Febraury 8 that 4.2 million people of Afghanistan will require shelter in 2026.

Humanitarian agencies have prioritized support for 881,000 people, requiring $160.3 million to provide emergency shelters, non-food items, winter aid, and repair damaged homes.

All 34 provinces will receive assistance, with high-priority areas including drought-hit regions, disaster-affected districts, and communities hosting returnees from Pakistan and Iran.

In 2025, 15,000 people were affected by floods, with 90 percent still living in tents or damaged homes due to lack of funding.

Over 24 percent of returnees identify shelter as their main need, highlighting a persistent housing crisis across Afghanistan.

Despite reductions in informal settlements in recent years, around 390,000 families continue to live in nearly 900 temporary sites nationwide.

Recurring natural disasters; including earthquakes, floods, and landslides continue to increase vulnerability and strain humanitarian resources throughout Afghanistan.

OCHA stresses protection for vulnerable groups, especially women, children, and people with disabilities, while negotiating with the Taliban to maintain humanitarian access.

Over 4 Million People of Afghanistan Will Need Shelter in 2026, UN Warns
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Pakistan to Deport Nearly 20,000 Afghan Refugees Awaiting U.S. Resettlement

February 10, 2026
Khaama Press

Pakistan plans to return nearly 20,000 Afghan refugees awaiting relocation to the United States, sharing their information with authorities for immediate deportation.

According to The Nation newspaper, Pakistan has decided to deport thousands of Afghan refugees who have been waiting for resettlement in the U.S.

The federal government will notify senior provincial authorities and police across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad to facilitate the returns.

Most of these refugees fled Afghanistan after the previous government fell and have been waiting more than four years for transfer to third countries.

In recent months, Pakistan has already returned some Afghan refugees who were on U.S. resettlement lists, citing doubts about Washington’s commitment to the program.

The U.S. paused Afghan refugee admissions after Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, shot two U.S. National Guard soldiers near the White House in December.

Following the shooting, President Donald Trump suspended visa issuance for Afghan passport holders indefinitely and ordered a review of existing Afghan immigration cases.

The decision underscores growing frustration in Pakistan over long-term refugee stays and the uncertainty surrounding Afghan resettlement to the United States.

Pakistan to Deport Nearly 20,000 Afghan Refugees Awaiting U.S. Resettlement
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New Penal Code Introduces Prison Terms for Drug Use and Trafficking in Afghanistan

February 10, 2026
Khaama Press

New penalties for drug use and trafficking have been introduced under a new penal code, imposing prison terms as drug consumption in Afghanistan shifts toward synthetic substances.

Under the Taliban’s new penal code, individuals using narcotic substances can face up to six months in prison depending on their condition.

Drug sellers face tougher punishment, with prison sentences ranging from one to seven years, while poppy and cannabis cultivation also carries jail terms.

The code lists substances including heroin, opium, hashish, alcohol, tramadol, and other narcotics, with punishments increasing based on quantities seized.

The regulations also remove appeal rights in narcotics-related cases, making lower court rulings final in many instances.

A recent UN report shows drug consumption patterns in Afghanistan are shifting from traditional narcotics toward synthetic drugs and misuse of pharmaceutical medicines.

Despite Taliban announcements banning narcotics production and use, international reports suggest drug consumption and production challenges remain widespread across the country.

New Penal Code Introduces Prison Terms for Drug Use and Trafficking in Afghanistan
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Afghanistan Halts Medicine Imports from Pakistan

February 10, 2026

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

Finance authorities announced medicine imports from Pakistan have been halted nationwide, urging traders to secure alternative supply routes to maintain domestic availability.

A spokesperson for the Finance Ministry said the ban on Pakistani medicines has been enforced across all customs points, with officials confirming immediate nationwide implementation.

Authorities also stated that medicine smuggling is under strict monitoring, warning that violators will face legal action under customs regulations to prevent illegal drug supplies entering markets.

The ministry urged pharmaceutical traders to quickly find alternative import routes to avoid potential shortages and ensure continuous medicine availability in hospitals and private pharmacies nationwide.

Officials added that facilities and procedures for importing medicines from other countries will be eased to maintain steady supply chains and prevent disruptions in healthcare services.

Authorities earlier announced agreements to import medicines from Uzbekistan and India, aiming to reduce reliance on limited trade routes and diversify pharmaceutical supply sources.

Following trade tensions and partial disruptions in commerce between Afghanistan and Pakistan, concerns have grown over supplies of essential goods, especially medicines required by hospitals and patients.

Analysts say the success of the decision will depend on how quickly alternative supply channels become operational to prevent shortages and stabilize medicine prices nationwide.

Afghanistan Halts Medicine Imports from Pakistan
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